The Mandalorian Season 3 Episode 2 released on Wednesday on Disney+ and saw Din Djarin, Grogu and company sprinting through the plotlines laid out in the first episode. While Episode 1 was all about bringing the audiences back up to speed, Season 3 Episode 2 was about plunging them (literally) into the deep lore of Mandalore.
Mandalorians are by far the most interesting group of people in Star Wars. They have such a deep, rich and fascinating lore. While Star Wars, and all the species in it, has a deep lore itself, this particular part of the franchise is unique.
For starters, that's because the only Mandalorian ever seen in the films was Boba Fett. He, for as interesting as he was and is in his spin-off, is nothing like Din Djarin.
Djarin clings to the small religious sect of Mandalore that only a few do, even when he meets others that laugh in the face of it. Bo-Katan, Koska Reeves and others remove their helmets with no repercussions, but Djarin insists on finding the obsolete Living Waters to redeem himself for doing that.
That's the premise laid out in Episode 1, and it's almost completely resolved (or at least abandoned) in The Mandalorian Season 3 Episode 2.
The Mandalorian Season 3 Episode 2: What happened this time?
Din Djarin visited Peli Motto once again, who's become almost as much of a recurring character as anyone. He wants to find an IG memory processor to fix his friend and the only droid he trusts, IG-11.
When he's told that's basically impossible, he begrudgingly takes an astromech she has to scout the planet. That effectively ends the plotline laid out in the first episode and plunges viewers into the future.
When he does discover that the air isn't polluted, he goes down into the ruined city of Sundari on Mandalore, which was destroyed in the purge. Upon his arrival below, he begins looking for the mines of Mandalore so he can redeem himself.
He is attacked by a mechanized organism that is able to capture him and appears to be preparing to eat him. Grogu, then, must leap (he literally Force leaps into his chair) into action. He has to go find Bo-Katan, just about the only person who can help Din.
Din Djarin needs help in Mandalorian Season 3
Bo-Katan agrees to help Din, using his fallen Darksaber to slay the organism. It's worth pointing out that she uses the weapon much more effectively than Djarin does.
She knows the way to the Living Waters and guides the injured Mandalorian there with Grogu. When he begins to recite the Creed he clings to, he's sucked down into the water. Bo-Katan jumps in after him and finds him knocked out at the bottom of the water.
As she drags him up, she catches a glimpse of a monstrous beast that opens its eye and looks at her. She scrambles to the surface and drags her fallen counterpart to land, clearly shaken to her core by what she's seen.
That's where the episode ends, one of the more cliff-hanger-esque endings Jon Favreau and company have cooked up for the show.
Mandalorian Episode 3 Season 2: How did they do?
The Mandalorian Season 3 Episode 2 suffers from poor lighting. The entire episode, with few exceptions, takes place in the ruins of Mandalore. There's no light beneath the surface, which makes things difficult to see.
However, it's not dark enough that it's impossible to see, though there are curious instances when characters turn off their lights and make it even worse.
It's dim and mysterious, which could very well be the vibe the crew was going for. It's a bit of a horror episode, with a few dark themes explored and a couple of jump scares.
Aside from that, there's really nothing wrong with it from a technical aspect. The plot does quickly abandon the premise of the season, since Din Djarin has technically bathed in the waters and thus redeemed himself now (does anyone really believe he won't remove his helmet again to save or help Grogu?).
Nevertheless, The Mines of Mandalore is another solid entry into the franchise. It gives viewers a look at how far Grogu has come. In the earlier seasons, he never would have been able to get back into his chair. This time, he flips into it with ease, navigates all the way back to Bo-Katan and gets her to help.
Season 3 is diving into Mandalorian lore
It also continues to explore the depths of the lore. Season 1 pulled in viewers with what felt like a Star Wars-adjacent story. Season 2 connected it to the greater universe. The third season seems to be pulling viewers into the lore like the beast pulled the Mandalorian down under the water.
Fortunately, for those unfamiliar with the depths of Star Wars (which is a lot of people, even dedicated Star Wars nerds), Dave Filoni and Jon Favreau are holding the audience's hand.
They use the relationship between Mando and Grogu to explain things. Din Djarin gives his "son" the rundown on what's going on. Bo-Katan explains it to both Djarin and Grogu, who are relatively clueless. So is the audience, so it's a useful if boring exposition tactic.
This episode isn't groundbreaking. It's not even the best of this season. Nevertheless, The Mandalorian continues to prove why it's must-watch television. What on earth (or Mandalore) will Djarin, Katan and Grogu do next?
